Graveney confident of Strauss return for New Zealand tour

LONDON : Chairman of selectors David Graveney said he was confident Andrew Strauss would be in the frame for a recall to the England sqaud for their tour of New Zealand in the new year.

Strauss was left out of the side to face Sri Lanka in the three-Test series starting in Kandy on December 1 after a disappointing run of form, but Graveney believes he can force his way back.

"I'm confident he will be in the mix to go to New Zealand," said Graveney.

"He's extremely disappointed - it would be strange if he wasn't - but he is a fighter and we believe he will come back into the frame very quickly.

"We certainly believe he has a huge part to play. There are technical issues that he will sort out with (coach) Peter Moores."

Strauss, 30, will meet Graveney over the weekend to decide whether he will be on stand-by for the Sri Lanka tour in a "performance squad" based in India.

"I've suggested to him that we wait a couple of days then sit down and work out the best plan for him in terms of being on standby for Sri Lanka and also to get in the right situation to be considered for New Zealand," Graveney said.

Strauss was given a central contract last month but has paid the price for his poor form, with the announcement completing a miserable year where he has missed out on deputising as captain and was also dropped from the one-day squad.

Graveney explained: "We looked at his form over the last 12 months and he hasn't performed to the level he can do."

Graveney had a face-to-face meeting with Strauss to explain the decision that will mean Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook open the batting in Kandy.

Another player to miss out was Mark Ramprakash, whose heavy run-scoring in domestic cricket could not persuade the selectors.

"You can't do any more than what Mark Ramprakash has done, he has been the outstanding player in domestic cricket for a number of seasons," Graveney added.

Graveney will talk to Ramprakash about being on standby in India, while seamer Chris Tremlett will definitely be asked to travel to Chennai.

Steve Harmison will have to prove his fitness and form in two four-day matches in South Africa for Highveld Lions before he is added to the 15-man squad.

"We need to see what cricketing form he is in, in a match environment," Graveney said.